“Emily stood outside of her lawyer’s office, holding the signed divorce papers. It had been a long and difficult 13 months - separating, mediating, and finalizing the divorce proceedings from her husband of nine years, Michael. Tears of regret and yet relief, pricked the back of her eyelids as she stared down at the manila envelope that held the ending of what had been a huge chunk of her adult life. Although Emily had hated the thought of divorce and had fought hard to save her marriage for years, after multiple attempts, extensive counseling, and yet repeated failures and betrayals; she had made the hard, yet correct decision to move forward and begin life again on her own…”

“Siobhan nervously twisted a lock of hair around her finger, as she stared at the business application on the computer screen. All that was left to do was to hit “submit” and the wheels would begin turning for her new business venture. However, as she stared at the mouse pointer hovering over the green button, she found herself overwhelmed at the reality of what she was about to do, “what if it doesn’t work?”. “What if I am making a mistake?”, the worry tried to crowd into her brain. Giving herself a small shake, Siobhan picked up the mouse and clicked enter. She had spent years dreaming about this business idea, talked to close friends, learned from mentors – if she was going to do it, the time was now and she knew she had done the work preparing. Now for the next step…”

Do either of these women’s stories sound familiar? Have you ever found yourself beginning a new venture or on the brink of a major life change and new beginning? Making these changes can be scary and finding yourself at a crossroads can feel overwhelming. But here's the thing: dreams and change don't just happen by themselves. You've got to be willing to take risks, to step out of your comfort zone, and make those dreams or new life goals a reality.

Now, I'm not saying it's easy. In fact, it's downright terrifying at times. But that's where faith comes in. Faith is like a little voice inside you, whispering, "You can do this." It's about trusting that everything will work out in the end, even if you can't see the finish line just yet.

It’s during these times that you may find yourself needing to take a leap of faith. Pursuing dreams and goals and getting out of your comfort zone are crucial elements of personal growth. Picture standing at the edge of a boat, contemplating the vast unknown and the adventure lying before you. It's daunting, yet exciting at the same time. 

Next, mindfulness is essential for navigating life's complexities. Mindfulness is all about being present in the moment, about tuning into your thoughts and emotions without judgment. It's about taking care of yourself – emotionally, physically, and nutritionally – so that you have the strength and energy to pursue your dreams.

We have another great mindfulness for you today, to help you cultivate a sense of grace. Listen Here

So how do you stay mindful while making big changes in your life? It's all about finding balance. It's about carving out time for self-care, whether it's through meditation, exercise, or simply taking a few deep breaths. It's about nourishing your body with healthy foods that fuel your mind and spirit and give you energy. And most importantly, it's about surrounding yourself with positive people who lift you up and support you on your journey.

But here's the thing: staying mindful isn't always easy. Life has a funny way of throwing curveballs when you least expect it. That's why it's so important to have tools and techniques in your toolbox to help you stay grounded when the going gets tough.

For me, one of those tools is journaling. Writing down my thoughts and feelings helps me process them in a healthy way, so they don't weigh me down. Another tool is exercise – whether it's going for a run or practicing yoga or tai chi, moving our body helps release stress and tension.

And of course, there's always the secret weapon: gratitude. Taking a moment each day to count our blessings helps us stay focused on the positive, even when life throws curveballs. It reminds us that no matter what challenges come our way, we have so much to be thankful for.

Building a supportive environment is equally crucial. Seek out and find mentors, friends, and loved ones – safe ones who can offer guidance and support and learning opportunities. Surrounding ourselves with positive influences fosters resilience and encourages personal growth and supportive relationships help cheer us along when the going gets hard. Finding and cultivating your close inner circle is key to helping you be successful as you navigate life changes or push towards big goals and dreams.

Embracing change and pursuing dreams are aspects of our journey towards self-fulfillment and fulfilling our God given calling. Each step forward is a building block for our faith, resilience and commitment. Embracing change requires us to confront our fears head-on and embrace discomfort as a catalyst for transformation. Just like Emily and Siobhan chose, dare to step out of the boat – your future awaits.